Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I can, as a matter of fact, Senator Green. Thank you for the question and your great interest in this topic. I should start by congratulating everybody in the Senate for the mature way in which the issue of the referendum legislation was dealt with last night. Congratulate yourselves on the passing of that legislation without any opposition in this place.

But it is another historic day today, a significant day in the journey towards an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. We have the opportunity for Australia to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia in our Constitution. This will be a simple but powerful act. The proposition that is to be put to the Australian people has been built from the ground up through the work of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This process is the culmination of years of discussion, consultation and hard work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

As the Prime Minister said in his gracious and patient ask of Australia, I want to thank the chamber for the goodwill demonstrated last night in respect of the referendum machinery bill. This will be the first referendum in almost a quarter of a century, and a new generation of Australians will be able to have their say. The government believes that this referendum will be a unifying moment for Australia, and I'm certainly keen for that to be the case. It's about taking this country forward for everyone.

We look forward to working with the Australian community to ensure that everyone can have their say in a respectful manner on this important opportunity to recognise our first Australians.